Starting-switch.



A. K. SUTHERLAND.

STARTING SWITCH.

APPLICAUON FILED MAT/11.1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

an web To@ struction with anautomatic catch parts being shown mais? swans raten fr oraroEQ TRUIVIBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COIVIANY, OF LAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

STARTNG-S'WITCH.

Application filed v'ay 11, 1916.

To all 107mm t may concern Be it known that l, .\i.iiz\:.\.\'i i-:r. K. St'iiinnLANn, a citizen ot the Dominion of Canada and subject of King George V, residing at New Britain. Connecticut, have invented a. new and useful Starting-Switch, of which the followingis a specification.

Myiiivention relates particularly to what is commonly known as a star-delta motor starting switch. and the main object is to provide a simple and reliable construction in which the operator can first close the switch in the proper start-ing relation only and subsequently' move it to the proper running position.

Another object is to provide such a conto hold the switch in thel running position.

'Another object isv to automatically release such a construction upon overload.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch embodying 'the improvements of my invention, in the running position. andthe .casing being partially sectioned and broken away. Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view showing the operatingr 'handle and detents. The operating handle is shown in full lines in the running position, and in dotted lines in the open circuit position, and also in dotted lines in the starting position.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the switch contacts yin the running position but showing also in dotted lines the movable parts ot' the switch in the open circuit positionand also in the starting position.

Fig. l is airaginentai'y enlarged sectional view of the handle detents taken on the plane of the line H ol-` Fig. Q..

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the switch parts and circuits in the starting position.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the parts and circuits in the running position.

An insulating base 10 is provided as is customary in such constructions and upon it are mounted three hinged blades 11, 1Q and 13. In line with these blades are mounted respectively the Contact jaws 11, 11b, 12a, 1Q", 13a and 13". rlhe three main wires arc connected to theswitch blades 1 1,

12 and 13. The motor coils or groups '"X, Y. and Z are connected as shown in Figs. v5

Specication of Letters 'Patent operation of the' switch.

Patented June 12,1917.

Serial No. $6,805.

and G. the ends 1 2. of coil X bein(r con' nected to contacts 11n and 12", the ends 3, el. of coil Y being connected to'contacts 12 and 13, and the ends 5, G, of coil Z being connected to contacts 123 and 11".

The blades 11, 12 and 13 all pass through an insulating block 14 which is located between thc inner and outer contacts. This block 1t at its lower edge also carries three stub-like .short circuiting blades 15, 16 and 1T, .which are adapted toengage respectively the. contacts 11", 12b and 13" when the parts are in the startinf,r position. The insulating guard 1S is preferably located at the inner 'tace oi each ot' the outer contacts 11b, 12" and lil, and each of thes'e contacts has an overhanging part 19. The contacts 11a, 1Q and 13 are all considerably higher than the contacts 11", 12 and 13b, so that when the switch is first closed, 'the blades 11, 1Q and 13 engage the contacts 11, 12a and 13* just before the blades 15, 16V and 17 engage the inotor coils are iii-what is known as the delta7 relation.

An inclosurc Q0 and cover 21 may be pio vided. in the form shown, an arm Q2 is secured to the upper edge of the insulating block 14 and-secured to the rock shaft Q3 wliichprojects through one side ot the/casing. An external Ihandle 24 is provided for this shaft for ope-rating the switch in one direction and a spring 25 is provided for opening the switch. It-w-ill be noted that the parts are so related to each other that the switch can only -be started in the proper motor starting position. I have also provided means which makes it necessary for the operator to hold the switch at least momentarily in the motor starting position, and thus serve as a warning as to the proper The operating handle Q1 is provided at its rear face with a flat spring 2G. The member 27 is secured to the outside of the box or casing and constructed to cooperate with the spring 2G. This member is provided with an incline portion 28 and a shoulder 29 in such a position relative to the incline that as the switch handle is moved downward the blade 26 rides up the incline 28 and then snaps into position shown in section in Fig. 4; where the spring Q6 engages the shoulder 29. In this position the shoulder 30 prevents the further downward movement of the spring 26 and the operating handle. It will thus be seen that it is necessary. to let up on the operating handle suiliciently to permit the spring Q6 to snap over the shoulder 29 into the position shown-'in dotted lines, in Fig. 4. The operating handle may then be moved downward into the running position.

Preferably, a spring pressed catch 3l is provided for' .holding -the operating handle in the running position, as shown in Figs. l and Q. I also preferably provide an automatic release for this catch. This release consists of a coil 32 which is connected to the switch contacts 12a and 1f t and provided with a plunger or armature 33 which is adapted to release the catch 3l from the operating handle and permit the spring 25 to retract the switch blades and open the circuit. Preferably, a yielding stop 34: is provided for the handle on its return movement.

Vhat I claim is: y

l. In a switch of the character described` the combination of three movable main switch blades. a series ol switch contacts adapted to be engaged by said blades in the initial movement thereof, a second series of contacts having contact surfaces adapted to be engaged by said blades in a later, movement thereof and a series of short circuiting blades movable in the same planes with the main blades respectively and disposed tov engage said same contact surfaces of the second series of contacts and to connect said series Aof ,contacts prior to engagement by said main blades.

2.'In a switch of the character described, the combination with'relativcly stationary and movable members, of a spring carried by one of said members and an inclined abut ment on the other of said members for engagement by said spring in the relative movement of the two members toward each other, a stop shoulder for the spring located in advance of the spring supporting surface of the abutment, a shoulder at one edge of said stop shoulder to limit the lateral movement of the spring on said stop shoulder, said limiting shoulder being laterally ottset fromthe supporting surface of the abutment to enable the spring when engaging the stop shoulder to move-laterally far enough to clear the supporting surface of the abutment and said limiting shoulder further being ofa height such that upon a limited reverse movement of the members the spring will be free of the limiting stop and will exert its tension to clear said stops and thereby enable a continuance of the movement- 'first initiated.

3. In a switch of the character described, a hinged blade, a stationary contact having a lateral extension for engagement by said hinged blade, a supplementary blade movy able with the hinged blade and disposed in the same-plane therewith to engage and pass beyond the lateral extension prior to the engagement of said lateral extension by the hinged blade and a relatively stationary insulating guard interposed between the stationary contact and the supplementary blade when the hinged blade is in engagement with the lateral extension ofthe switch contact.

4. In a switch of the character described, a hinged blade, a stationary contact, an insulating member carried by said blade, a shorter blade carried by said insulating member beneath and in the same plane as said irst blade, said contact having alateral extension at ,its upper end adapted to be engaged successively by said blades, and an insulating guard secured along the face of said contact beneath said extension.

5. In a starting switch, the combination of two sets of stationary contacts and two sets of movable contacts, one set of movable con tacts being insulated from the other set of movable contacts, one set of stationary contacts being disposed to be engaged successively by both sets of movable contacts, a casing inclosing said stationary and movable contacts, operating means extending through the wall of the casing and mechanically connected `with the movable contacts and an automatic stop comprising a member carried by the switch operating means and 4 a member supported on the wall of the casing arranged to be engaged by the member on the operating means to stop the movementof said operating means but arranged to release said operating means upon a slight backward movement of said operating means.

6. In a switch of the character described, a' movable switch member, an operating handle therefor, a spring member movable with said operating handle, means for engaging said spring to automatically stop the movement of said handle in one direction, means for-.\1'eleasing said spring and means for automatically catching said operating handle.

7. In a switch-of the character described, a movable switch member, an operating handle therefor, 'a spring member movable with said operating handle, a set of contacts engageable by saidswitch member, means for engaging sait? spring'to automatically vstop the movement of said handle when said switch member has been engaged with said contacts and adapted after such engagement te release said spring member. a second set of contacts engageable by the the combination of three main hinged blades,

a second set of three blades insulated from the first, but movable in the same plane therewith and electrically connected together, a set of contacts arranged to be engaged by the main blades and a second set of contacts arranged to be engaged successively by both sets of blades.

9. In a switch of the character described,

y the combination of three main hinged blades,

' second set of a second set of three blades insulated from the iirst, but moyable spectively therewith and electrically connected'together, a set of contacts arranged to be engaged vby the main blades and a contacts arranged to be engaged successively by both sets of blades, and means for automatically .stopping the movement ofisaid blades when the blades of said second set oi? blades are in, engagement with their respective contacts.

l0. ln a starting switch, the combination oi' two sets of stationarycontacts and two sets of movablecontacts, one set of movable contacts being insulated ir'rom the other setof movable contacts, one set of stationary contacts being arranged to be engaged by one set of movable contacts and the other sot of .stationary cont-acts being arranged to. be engaged successively by both sets of contacts, an inolosure for all of said stationary and movable contacts, an operating handle outside oi? said inclosure mechanically connected to said movable contacts for operating the same, and. an automatic stop on the outside of said inclosure comprising stationary and movable parts arranged to stop the movement of the operating handle and the movable contacts in one position but4 arranged to become disengaged upon a slight backward movement of said operating handle, and arranged when thus disengaged to permit the completion of in the same planes re.

` by each blade respectively,

necting motor coils in one relation when.

the movement of the operating handle and the movable contacts.

l1. ln a starting switch, the combination of two sets of stationary contacts and two sets of movable contacts, one set of `r'novable contacts being insulated from the other set of movable contacts, one set of stationary contacts being arranged to be engaged by one set of movable contacts and the other set of stationary contacts being arranged to be engaged successively by both sets of contacts, an operating handle mechanically connected to said movable contacts for operating the same, and an automatic stop -comprising stationary and movable parts arranged to stop the movement of the operating handle and the movable contacts in one position but arranged to become disengaged upon a slight backward movement of said operating handle, and arranged when thus disengaged to permit the completion of the movement of the operating handle and the movable contacts, means for automatically returning the operating handle and movable contacts from any position to open circuit position when the operating handle is released.

12. ln a starting switch, the combination of a plurality of hinged blades, a plurality of stationary contacts adapted to be engaged means for conthe blades are connected with one set of con tacts, means for connecting said motor coils in another arrangement when said blades are in contact with the other set of contacts, an inclosure Jfor said contacts and said blades, a handle on the outside of said inclosure for operating said blades, means for stopping the closing action of said blades when said blades are in connection with said first mentioned set of contacts, said means being adapted to be released when said handle is slightly retracted to permit said`handleand said blades to be operated subsequently for connecting said blades with said second mentioned set of contacts, said stopping means being located eXteriorly to said inclosure.

'ALEXANDER K. SUTHERLAND. 

